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Saturday, March 14, 2015

We all remember when Orange County Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher palled around with the Taliban decades ago. Things haven't changed much except his new besties include Egyptian military dictator Sisi.

After he recently praised the widely-boycotted Netanyahu speech and urged Congress to invite Sisi, Rohrabacher just checked in Sharm El Sheikh resort (paid for by YOU, the American tax payer) on his Facebook page, where a large "economic" conference is being held.

A new capital city project was announced today and a multi-billion dollar contract with a UAE-based company was signed without any discussion in the Egyptian parliament. The UAE was reportedly involved in financing the military's takeover and ouster of elected-president Morsi.

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

WASHINGTON – Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, praising Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech Tuesday before a joint session of Congress, said he has asked House Speaker John Boehner to invite Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to address the legislative body as well.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu made his point and made it well,” said the California Republican, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats. “His speech today to my congressional colleagues needed to be heard. The survival of Israel and indeed the peace of the world are at stake if the Obama administration does not drop its delusional notions of how to deal with the mad mullahs of Iran.

“Congress needs to hear directly from the key leaders of the Middle East. That is why I have urged Speaker Boehner to invite Egypt’s President el-Sisi to follow with his own speech to a joint session. The Egyptian leader has made his country a bulwark against the spread of Islamic terrorism and has called for reforms within the Islamic world so that it may live in peace and harmony with the modern world.”

In his letter to Speaker Boehner, delivered last week, Rohrabacher wrote: “Egypt has been and continues to be one of America’s strongest allies in the Arab world. The Egyptian government has been a steadfast partner in the war on terrorism. In the aftermath of the Arab Spring, al-Qaeda connected terrorist groups have emerged in Egypt and are attempting to topple their democratically elected government. It is imperative that the United States show our resolve to support democracy in Egypt and oppose the efforts of violent terrorists.

“I wish to bring to your attention a significant and courageous speech by President al-Sisi calling for reform in the Islamic faith. We should take note that this major leader in the Middle East is choosing to stand with those voices in the Islamic community who are advocating tolerance while standing up to Islamic extremists .

“President al-Sisi is a key global leader whom the United States should strongly support standing up to Islamic extremists. Egypt is at a crossroads but has a strong leader that gives hope for increased security and prosperity in Egypt and the region.”

Rohrabacher is co-founder, with Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-CA, of the House Egypt Caucus.

Assemblymember Melissa Melendez’s recent social media comments in response to the murder of Kayla Mueller were profoundly misguided and deeply offensive to people of Islamic faith. In addition, we would like to point out to the Assemblymember that comments painting all members of a single faith with a broad brush have far-reaching consequences that reverberate not only throughout the state, but throughout our nation. The same day that the Assemblywoman posted her offensive tweet, three young, innocent Muslim students were murdered in North Carolina.

We ask the Assemblymember to issue an apology to her constituents, many whom are of the Muslim faith.

Saturday, January 03, 2015

2014 marked another milestone for Little Arabia District when thousands of brochures promoting the district's businesses were distributed at hotels and tourist destinations in and around Anaheim. Here's my list of Little Arabia highlights of 2014 (in no particular order):

Little Arabia District website and brochures launched in August.Millions of tourists who come to the city of Anaheim from across the US and the world had the opportunity to be exposed to Little Arabia District. The brochures are now available at more than 160 locations, mostly at hotels near Disneyland.

During the State of the City address, an event held by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Jan. 28th, Mayor Tom Tait encouraged more than 600 attendees to visit Little Arabia and try some of the best authentic food in Orange County. "We all know that Anaheim has some of the most authentic and diverse neighborhoods in the state. Our city is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the U.S. Take for example, Brookhurst Street, or as the locals refer to it, Little Arabia. Home to halal butcher shops, restaurants, beauty salons, travel agencies, bakeries and more, this neighborhood is really a cultural destination in our city. Whether you are stopping by Olive Tree for delicious lamb or picking up some baklava at Papa Hassan's, Little Arabia gives visitors a different experience than a typical convention city." With a renewed community push to designate Little Arabia, media coverage of local efforts to promote the area during the weeks following the speech included national media outlets such as NPR, KPCC, Aljazeera America, Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, and OC Weekly.

Video of Olive Tree Restaurant owner Alan Abdo ripping up a Congressional certificate goes viral after Rep. Loretta Sanchez appeared on KNBC stating that she would support an Israeli ground incursion in Gaza last summer.

Following the summer's Israeli aggression against Gaza, the Anaheim-based Gaza-native immigration lawyer Akram Abusharar filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to "cease all military aid to all Israelis and the Israeli government" and to deny Israeli military officers U.S. entry by declaring "them persona non grata." Abusharar's family's home in the Gaza Strip was bombed by the Israeli military. The OC Weekly reported that Abusharar believes Kerry and Hagel have repeatedly violated laws including the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, a measure he says bans military equipment transfers to nations that grossly violate human rights.

Many of us longtime Little Arabia loyalists spent countless evenings at a popular restaurant/hookah cafe known as Andaluz five years ago. The restaurant, which also hosted several NAAP Mixers in 2010, has been closed since 2011. The good news is, it has recently re-opened under the name El Mahroosa Cafe & Hookah Lounge. If you haven't been there yet, stop by and order some of the delicious home-made meals made by Chef Um Alaa, and order that lemon-mint juice.

Nahla Kayali, Founder and Executive Director of Access California Service - a Little Arabia-based social services organization that serves immigrant and low income families, receives the Champion of Change award by the White House on Cesar Chavez Day.. Congratulations!

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

Millions of tourists who come to the city of Anaheim from across the US and the world will now have the opportunity to be exposed to a hidden cultural destination in Anaheim known as Little Arabia District, which offers a wide variety of ethnic cuisine, entertainment, cafes, clothing stores and gift shops. The brochures are now available at more than 160 locations, mostly at hotels near Disneyland.
In addition to the brochures, the district’s businesses are also promoted online and through social media.

Earlier this year, Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait referred to Little Arabia during his state of the city speech at the Anaheim convention center.

“We all know that Anaheim has some of the most authentic and diverse neighborhoods in the state. Our city is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the U.S. Take for example, Brookhurst Street, or as the locals refer to it, Little Arabia… Little Arabia gives visitors a different experience than a typical convention city.”

Little Arabia District launched its latest campaign at the Eid Festival in Downtown Anaheim in August 2014. Thousands of community members were initially exposed to the campaign at the two-day cultural event.

The brochure includes a map of Little Arabia and a list of businesses, restaurants, cafes and shops in the district. More information about the businesses can be found on www.LittleArabiaDistrict.com.

Friday, September 26, 2014

ORANGE, 9/22/14 -- The Arab American Democrats of California (AADCA) commends the Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC) for adopting a resolution that addresses the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and calls upon our Democratic congressional delegation to encourage President Obama to support the proposed two-state solution to the conflict.

The resolution, which passed unanimously during the DPOC Central Committee meeting on Monday, Sept. 22nd, also recognizes the right of both Israel and Palestine to exist.

"We commend the DPOC for adopting a resolution that addresses the humanitarian crisis in Gaza following Israel's most recent 50-day assault on the occupied Palestinian territory," said Rashad Al-Dabbagh, chair of AADCA.

"The final version of the resolution was a result of seven weeks of negotiations, multiple drafts and amendments among the authors and senior leadership of the Party. While this resolution wasn't perfect, it resembles a milestone and historical moment for Arab American Democrats. It is also a step forward towards recognizing the importance of working for peace and justice in Occupied Palestine and Israel. The adopted resolution reflects an inclusive Democratic Party that values unity through diversity."